I should also add that another family here that really bothers me is actually encouraging and reinforcing a phobia of dogs in their children. I have seen this a few times, from different families (pulling their children in close, gasping, looking horrified-yes, at my 16 lb terrier and baby spoo lol, clearly both very vicious dogs with their bouncy 'look at me-pet me' body language).

She doesn't speak english, and it's really a shame because her kids CAN and they're probably the nicest kids on the block. I only had to tell them about training a dog to say hello once, and they're always very nice and polite but if their mom catches them petting our dogs she runs in screaming and fussing. I guess she must have had a really bad experience, or something at one point in time, but I just find it really frustrating when people are closed off to the joy of dogs.

Anyways, public forums are generally not meant to be places to receive therapy (so I am sorry for my response!), and I find that I am just starting to unload what is in reality my frustration with the area I live in I think. I think I would do better in a small town, or back in the country (back from whence you came grinch poodle lady!).
I am enjoying reading what is by majority positive experiences , and it makes me wonder if their is a correlation between where you live?

Marylynn.... I used to work with a young man from Indonesia who was Muslim and he told me his religion did not allow him to touch dogs because they are considered 'unclean' I don't know if that's true but it kept him from having to interact with any dogs that came into our bird store!

__________________I pledge allegience to Ms Royalty
In the United States of her kingdom
And to her rules for which it stands
One Princess under God
In the visible
With diamonds and bones for ALL

Actually that is true, some Muslim people do believe that.
This family is Korean though, I am not so sure if they have similar beliefs or not. But you are absolutely right, I think there is also the camp of thought that they should not be kept as pets as the faith itself strongly discourages poor treatment, or abuse of animals as well as dogs being considered unclean.

MaryLynn... Koreans EAT dog meat! One dish is called 'Bosintang' (dogstew) They raise a special type of dog on farms for consumption. It's the 4th most common meat eaten but many think like us and abstain! 'Pet' dogs are a whole different catagory to them.

__________________I pledge allegience to Ms Royalty
In the United States of her kingdom
And to her rules for which it stands
One Princess under God
In the visible
With diamonds and bones for ALL

But aren't there a couple of Korean folks on PF? Also I have a student who is Muslim who wants a German Shepherd Dog in the worst way. I think it is hard to generalize. I think since you are near a school that is part of why you get mobbed. Can you work around the time that school lets out for walks? Not that I don't think you should be able to walk your dogs whenever you want, but until you get the puppy manners where you want them, maybe that would help.

Oh by no means do I think all Muslims dislike dog ownership, I was just confirming that some do. My hubby is half chinese, half puerto rican, and he nor his chinese side of the family eat dogs or cats and neither do any of my korean friends (although the world view for this is different in some parts of the world, my understanding there is a specific type of dog bred for meat?). I genuinely think that the lady is just terrified of dogs to the point where she is irrationally inflicting her fear onto her children, too.

I try and stay inside before school, and after-school, and during the big lunch break. I can actually hear the bell from my place, so that helps too. It does make a big difference, Gryphon actually is still a little too overwhelmed with that many kids outside, so it's been something we try and practice.

I had actually wanted to ask the lady with the polite kids if she would let me "hire" them for a bit of an allowance back when I was desperate to desensitize him to kids. She probably would have thought I was off my rocker!

My post was regarding people in Korea! NOT in the western world..I'm sure we eat some things they would freak out at too LOL!!! Food preferences in foreign countries have always fascinated me as I love to cook ! This post was not to disparage anyone.just an interesting factoid!

__________________I pledge allegience to Ms Royalty
In the United States of her kingdom
And to her rules for which it stands
One Princess under God
In the visible
With diamonds and bones for ALL

I seem to have the opposite problem. I would love for more people to ask to meet Jasper so he can learn how to properly greet, but nobody every asks.

I think I'm friendly and Jasper is definitely well behaved...not sure what the problem is!

Well now that puzzles me! How on earth can people resist a poodle?! We live where it's remote, so when Chagall was a pup I made it a practice to take him places where he could see, and eventually interact, with people of all ages and kinds. We spent time walking past the local elementary school (when the children were being dropped off or picked up), walking back and forth in front of local strip malls, and the library and post office (for nice, calm greeting practice). It was easy for him to entice people to approach us. I would have him practice his "sit" and "give paw," etc., and people would stop to watch and ooh and aah. I enlisted the help of many willing, spontaneous "trainers" to help him work on focusing with distractions. I hope you find a way to get others to engage with Jasper, I'm sure he's a doll. If push comes to shove, there are some lovely homes for sale in our area, you can always move here. I promise you he'll draw a crowd. I often have people approach us out of nowhere asking, "Is your dog friendly?" or "Can I pet your dog?" I'd be happy to share the experience with you and Jasper!

__________________Cabryn Chagall CGC

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Chagall's mom For This Useful Post:

MaryLynn, it sounds like your situation is unique. I love when people approach and ask about my poodle and he loves the attention, but I would also have problems with crowds of kids running up to touch my dog, particularly since he doesn't really feel comfortable around certain age groups of kids. Not to mention parents screaming at you? Wow.

I don't think you have much of a solution unless you move to a different area, but you could just try to have a "could care less" attitude about how you come off to both the parents and the kids (seems they aren't too friendly anyway) and just focus on keeping your dog safe and comfortable.

If little kids come running up to my poodle, I will step between them and my dog, put my hands up, and say "Please stop!" Most kids will react to a firm command from an adult. When they stop I say, "My dog is friendly, but he gets scared when you run up to him. If you stand still and put your hand out he might come over to say hi." It usually works and if it doesn't I just walk away from them. I have no problem telling kids when they are doing something dangerous, I will say "Never try to hug or kiss a strange dog on the face, he might bite you." I don't know if they listen to me or or if any of it sinks in, but I will try at least. I will say the same thing to the parents... if they take offense, so be it!

My main priority is keeping my dog safe and not letting him feel needlessly uncomfortable. He does not need to suffer through an extended petting session with kids if I see he is not enjoying it. If I come off as rude because I'm keeping my dog's needs in mind, oh well! I care more about the dog than those people.

The Following User Says Thank You to PaddleAddict For This Useful Post: